Michelle Obama To Speak At Virginia Tech, North Carolina A&T, Oregon State Commencements In 2012

WASHINGTON -- Michelle Obama will speak at three college graduation ceremonies this spring, including two in key general election battleground states.

Mrs. Obama's first commencement address will be at Virginia Tech. The White House says the first lady has been inspired by the school's resiliency following the deadly 2007 campus shootings. Mrs. Obama will also speak at North Carolina A&T, a historically black university.

Virginia and North Carolina are both politically important states that will be crucial to President Barack Obama's reelection prospects.

Mrs. Obama will also deliver the commencement address at Oregon State University, which has been recognized for its efforts to promote healthy communities, a key priority of the first lady. Mrs. Obama's brother, Craig Robinson, is the coach of the school's men's basketball team.

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Coolest Commencement Speakers of 2011

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Definitely the funniest commencement speech of 2011. Also probably one of the funniest commencement speeches of all time.

"Men run the world," Sandberg told Barnard's class of 2011. "We will never close the achievement gap if we don't close the ambition gap." A great message for girls everywhere.

Washington delivered and inspiring speech about the necessity of failure.

Tom Hanks gave the address at Yale graduation, in which he implored the class to "please do not turn off your electronic devices." A warm and funny speech.

Kean University students got two for the price of one. John Legend gave a speech and a swoon-worthy performance at their commencement.

"Perseverance is the difference between success and failure," Arianna told Sarah Lawrence grads in her witty and thought-provoking speech. "Failure is not the opposite of success, it is the stepping stone to success."

Obama warned Coast Guard that they have "never been more important" in his address at the Academy.

Ronan Farrow gave an informative speech about what young people can do for the world at Simon's Rock College of the Bard.